Home near Gibson Creek to be torn down

The Ukiah City Council Wednesday approved the demolition of small home located along Gibson Creek at the site of planned development near Todd Grove Park.

Planning Director Charley Stump told the council that the applicant, Tim Martin, recently subdivided the property at 108 Echo Way (formerly Park Boulevard) for development and originally wanted to save the home, which was built in the 1930s.

"But when he got into the home, he found it was very dilapidated, wasn't up to code and just wasn't worth saving," Stump said, explaining that the council must approve the demolition permit because the building is more than 50 years old.

"You must make a number of findings concerning the home's possible historic and architectural significance," Stump continued, adding that the city's Demolition Permit Review committee "determined there was no historic or architectural significance and recommended that the council approve this permit."

Building Official David Willoughby, a member of the committee, said the house was first 624 square feet, then increased to 960 square feet in 1957 and finally to 1,240 square feet sometime later.

"These numerous additions are evident when walking through the home and have occurred in a hodgepodge manner," Willoughby determined. "The home is in overall poor condition and would require an immense amount of money and work to make it habitable and comply with current California building codes."

Resident Susan Knopf told the council that she agreed that the house was not worth remodeling, but she wanted "maximum protection for the creek and riparian trees."

"Our Public Works Department had the same concern ... and is requiring that the creek be completely protected during the demolition," Stump said, adding that no trees would be removed, either.

"I move that we support the application," said Vice-Mayor Mary Anne Landis, and the council voted unanimously to approve it. Council member Benj Thomas recused himself due to what he described as "a professional relationship with the applicant."

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@ukiahdj.com, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or at 468-3521.